A Mr. Popularity Contest

If a new Gallup poll is to be believed, Israel’s position in the eyes of American public opinion has never been better.

The survey found that a remarkable 69% of Americans have a favorable view of the Jewish state, while just 25% of those questioned said they had an unfavorable view of Israel.

By contrast, 62% of Americans view the Palestinian Authority unfavorably, with only 27% having a favorable opinion.

The poll also sought to gauge where Americans stand on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and there too Israel came out ahead, with an impressive 52% saying they sympathize with the Jewish state, while just 18% said they are more sympathetic to the Palestinian side.

What is truly extraordinary about the results is the fact that despite the widespread bias of the mainstream media, the overwhelming majority of Americans still side with Israel. It is almost as if the steady diet of anti-Israel propaganda being fed to the American public by various media outlets has little, if any, real impact on their world-view.

Indeed, even with all of the energy, funds and resources that the Palestinians have invested in cultivating greater support for their cause, they are still just about as popular as cod-liver oil or spoiled milk.

Of course, much of the bedrock support that Israel enjoys in America is thanks to the growing population of tens of millions of evangelical Christians, whose backing for the Jewish state is passionate, ardent and rooted in Biblical principles.

While some Jews still look askance at such support, it is time for us to put aside our suspicions and recognize the importance of US Christians and the sincerity of their stance. They have proven to be among the best friends that Israel has, and for that we should be grateful and appreciative.